Resist, say I, with calm philosophy,

Let us not part, thou dear old friend of mine!

How I recall—(for even now I’m bless’d

With a good memory!), that glad day of days

When first I wore thee! It was at my feast;

My friends to crown my glory, sang thy praise.

Thy poverty and age that honor me

Have not yet made their early love decline—

They’re ready still to feast us once again.

Let us not part, thou dear old friend of mine!